Australia to establish Perth-based Indian Ocean Blue Carbon Hub for IORA members

Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne has announced the establishment of a new Perth-based scientific hub as the Indian Ocean Rim Association or IORA conference ends in Dhaka.

The Indian Ocean Blue Carbon Hub will allow experts of the IORA member states to protect the health of ocean carbon ecosystems such as mangroves, tidal marshes and sea grasses, the Australian High Commission said in a statement on Friday.

Representatives of 22 member states, mostly ministers, joined the 3rd IORA Ministerial Conference on Blue Economy that ended on Thursday.

The hub will help the IORA member states build the evidence base and capacity of the member states to protect and restore blue carbon ecosystems.

It will be hosted by the Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre at the University of Western Australia. The Morrison government and the CSIRO will jointly fund its activities with $600,000 over three years.

Payne said about half the world’s mangrove forests are in the Indian Ocean region.

“We collectively have the opportunity to lead the world in using blue carbon for climate mitigation and adaptation, as well as sustainable economic development,” she said.

“Australia is fully committed to working with its partners around the region to protect an ocean that is so vital to our shared interests over generations to come.”

In coming days, early career scientists and other professionals from IORA member states will be able to apply to visit and work at the hub under a programme for young scientists.

The hub will hold a “think tank” symposium in February with a focus on developing blue carbon finance.